Method and system for postural analysis and measuring anatomical dimensions from a digital image using machine learning

ABSTRACT

A method for use of machine learning in computer-assisted anatomical prediction. The method includes identifying with a processor parameters in a plurality of training images to generate a training dataset, the training dataset having data linking the parameters to respective training images, training at least one machine learning algorithm based on the parameters in the training dataset and validating the trained machine learning algorithm, identifying with the processor digitized points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks in an image of a person displayed on a digital touch screen by determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of the person in the displayed image using the validated machine learning algorithm and a scale factor for the displayed image, and making an anatomical circumferential prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to a method and system for using machine learning algorithms in the measuring of anatomical dimensions from a digital image such as, for example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image, on a mobile device or computer. Disclosed embodiments relate particularly to postural screening, measurements for clothing, estimating body composition such as body fat analysis, and measurements for orthotics or insert manufacturing.

BACKGROUND

Commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,721,567, 9,801,550 and 9,788,759, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, provide improved methods and systems for measuring anatomical dimensions which overcome drawbacks and limitations in convention practice, including time consuming and imprecise postural deviation measurements and the need for external equipment in the analysis or obtaining the patient image, which can dictate that the screening be conducted in a facility having the required framework of vertical backdrop and plumb line or other equipment.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,721,567 provides methods and systems for calculating a postural displacement of the patient in a displayed captured image using a pixel to distance ratio for the displayed image. U.S. Pat. No. 9,801,550 provides methods and systems for acquiring a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of a person and making an anatomical circumferential measurement prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship. U.S. Pat. No. 9,788,759 provides methods and systems for acquiring a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) images of a person and making an anatomical circumferential measurement prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship.

Despite these improvements in postural analysis and deriving anatomical predictions, substantial need still exists today in terms of developing systems and practicing methods that are more efficient and accurate. In this regard, according to conventional practice, human interaction with digital touch screen displays, cameras and image analysis can result in errors and oversights. Moreover, conventional systems and methods do currently employ any systematic learning procedures for making the systems and methods “smarter.” Recently, the inventors have employed machine learning techniques in developing systems and practicing methods for deriving an anatomical prediction that address these and other drawbacks.

Machine learning algorithms allow computer systems to solve a variety of problems, answer questions and perform other tasks based not solely upon pre-programmed instructions, but also upon inferences developed from training data. The training data can be used to “train” the machine learning algorithms by creating representations and generalizations that can then be applied to additional data in the future. The weights and parameters of the different representations and generalizations are “learned” by machine learning.

The inventors have looked to using machine learning algorithms and classifier software implemented on a specialized computer to enhance, among other things, (1) digitizing points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks on the displayed images, (2) determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of a person in the displayed images using the digitized points and a scale factor for the displayed images, and (3) making an anatomical circumferential measurement prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship. These algorithms and classifiers utilize machine learning techniques to develop a model for distinguishing and measuring various body dimensions. The training data consisting of image data may be annotated by a domain expert (such as a physiologist) and fed into the classifier, and the classifier analyzes the training data to identify patterns in the data that indicate when a given sample corresponds to a known dimensions stored in a database. After the classifier has been trained, a set of similarly annotated validation data is typically used to test the accuracy of the classifier. This type of machine learning is known as “supervised learning,” since the training and validation data is annotated by a human “supervisor” or “teacher.” Unsupervised learning is also contemplated.

Use of machine learning algorithms has shown to provide faster, more accurate and more precise identification of anatomical landmarks than previously possible. They do so, in part, based on the ability to identify patterns in a myriad of data that are not discernable to the human eye or capable of being processed by any known process, mental or otherwise.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, there is provided a method for use of machine learning in computer-assisted anatomical prediction. The method comprises identifying with a processor parameters in a plurality of training images to generate a training dataset, the training dataset having data linking the parameters to respective training images, training at least one machine learning algorithm based on the parameters in the training dataset and validating the trained machine learning algorithm, identifying with the processor digitized points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks in an image of a person displayed on a digital touch screen by determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of the person in the displayed image using the validated machine learning algorithm and a scale factor for the displayed image, and making an anatomical circumferential prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship.

In another embodiment, there is provided a system for use of machine learning in computer-assisted anatomical prediction. The system comprises a memory configured to store at least one machine learning algorithm and datasets, a processor programmed to: (i) identify parameters in a plurality of training images to generate a training dataset, the training dataset having data linking the parameters to respective training images, (ii) train the machine learning algorithm based on the parameters in the training dataset and validate the trained machine learning algorithm, (iii) identify digitized points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks in an image of a person displayed on a digital touch screen by determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of the person in the displayed image using the validated machine learning algorithm and a scale factor for the displayed image, and (iv) make an anatomical circumferential prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship.

In another embodiment, there is provided non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein a program to be executable by a processor for use of machine learning in computer-assisted anatomical prediction. The program causes the processor to execute identifying with a processor parameters in a plurality of training images to generate a training dataset, the training dataset having data linking the parameters to respective training images, training at least one machine learning algorithm based on the parameters in the training dataset and validating the trained machine learning algorithm, identifying with the processor digitized points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks in an image of a person displayed on a digital touch screen by determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of the person in the displayed image using the validated machine learning algorithm and a scale factor for the displayed image, and making an anatomical circumferential prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a mobile communication device with an image capturing device in the form of a camera on the back side, shown in dashed lines, of the device for acquiring an image of a patient and, as shown, a display screen on the front opposite side having a two-dimensional array of pixels on which the image as seen on the camera is displayed.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the screen of the device of FIG. 1 showing a step of the postural screening method wherein a reference line is overlaid the image providing vertical, horizontal and center references on the display screen and wherein a corresponding reference line is anchored to the displayed patient's image.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the screen of the device of FIG. 1 showing another step of the postural screening method wherein the two reference lines in FIG. 2 have been aligned in the vertical or sagittal plane by rotation of the device relative to the patient being viewed by the camera.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the screen of the device of FIG. 1 showing a further step of the postural screening method wherein the two reference lines in FIG. 3 have been aligned in the vertical plane by tilting the device at the top toward the patient to level the image capturing device.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the screen of the device of FIG. 1 showing another step of the postural screening method wherein two spaced horizontal lines are displayed on the screen at the top and bottom and the image has been centered by panning and scaled by zooming with the camera to fit the image precisely in the reference distance defined between the two lines to normalize the height of the image to a screen distance corresponding to a known number of pixels spanning the distance in the vertical direction.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the screen of the device of FIG. 1 showing an image of the patient like that of FIG. 5 but in the direction of the frontal plane of the patient.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the screen of the device of FIG. 1 wherein the image acquired in FIG. 5 optionally is displayed behind a grid overlay of vertical and horizontal lines against which a qualitative view of postural displacement can be observed.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the screen of the device of FIG. 1 wherein the image acquired in FIG. 6 optionally is displayed behind a grid overlay of vertical and horizontal lines against which a qualitative view of postural displacement is observed.

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram of a method of postural screening according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram of acquiring an image of a patient with the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a subject for which an exemplary embodiment of the invention may make measurements either for postural screening as explained with reference to FIGS. 1-10 or for measuring the dimensions of the human body in the other embodiments as disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating a front view of the subject depicted on the digital touch screen display of the mobile device of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an alternate view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention similar to FIG. 12, but illustrating a side view of the subject.

FIG. 14 is an alternate view of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating a side view of the subject on the display of the device of the invention with the measurements being made.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of operations possible with the mobile device of an embodiment of the invention affording measurements for body composition or clothing measurements.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of steps for obtaining measurements for clothing, particularly tuxedo/suit fitting, in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates and lists two dimensional linear measurements made with the mobile device of the invention during the steps in the flow-chart of FIG. 16 and listing the clothing measurements calculated for fitting a tuxedo using the measurements and known mathematical formulae.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of steps for obtaining measurements for estimating body composition using the mobile device of the invention for making measurements in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 19 is a front view and a side view of a subject depicting digitized anatomical landmarks on the image and illustrating linear measurements made in the views of the subject in accordance with the steps of the flow chart of FIG. 18, the views being shown as part of a report on the results of calculation of an estimate of average body fat using the measurements.

FIGS. 20A-20D are three-dimensional analysis examples of posture analysis (torso) using a mobile communication device with 3D scanner/camera wherein the end user can pan and zoom and rotate to analyze the subject in any plane;

FIG. 20A being a posterior oblique view depicting a left cervical list and right skull flexion relative to plane of the shoulders, and also showing right shoulder lateral flexion.

FIG. 20B is a side view oblique where a anterior cervical list and a thoracic posterior extension is noted.

FIG. 20C is a “bird's eye” view depicting right skull rotation relative to plane of shoulders, and a right “rib hump” posture common in scoliosis.

FIG. 20D is a frontal view with slight oblique depicting and measuring left head list with right skull flexion and right head rotation relative to plane of shoulders, also showing subtle right shoulder flexion.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flowchart representation of a process of generating a set of image-based training data and using that training data to develop classifiers in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a specialized computer or processing system that may implement machine learning algorithms according to disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 23 illustrates a machine learning algorithm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates a process executed by a machine learning algorithm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25A, FIG. 25B and FIG. 25C illustrate a frontal image of a person processed by a machine learning algorithm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26A, FIG. 26B and FIG. 26C illustrate a right-side image of a person processed by a machine learning algorithm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B illustrate a posterior image of a person processed by a machine learning algorithm according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B illustrate a left-side image of a person processed by a machine learning algorithm according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to embodiments, there are provided systems and methods of using machine learning algorithms to derive an anatomical prediction using a known morphological relationship and a programmed apparatus including a digital touch screen display and a camera configured to acquire an image of a person on the digital touch screen display. In embodiments, the systems and methods may comprise acquiring at least one digital 2D or 3D image of a person on the digital touch screen display, digitizing points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks on the displayed three-dimensional image, calculating a circumferential measurement of at least a portion of a body of a person in the displayed three-dimensional image using at least the digitized points on the displayed three-dimensional image, and making an anatomical prediction based on the calculated circumferential measurement and a known morphological relationship.

The disclosed system further includes means for making an anatomical-prediction using the measured dimensions and a known morphological relationship. Known mathematical formulae expressed in the computer program of the device relate the measured dimensions to the anatomical prediction. According to an aspect of the invention, the anatomical prediction includes at least one of circumference and volume of a body part which may be displayed on the display screen. In one disclosed embodiment the anatomical prediction is a clothing measurement selected from the group consisting of neck, overarm, chest, waist, hips, sleeve and outseam. According to another embodiment the anatomical prediction is a body composition. In a further embodiment a postural displacement is predicted from the measured dimensions and known morphological relationship. The disclosed system can also be used to obtain an image or images of the foot for use in orthotic and insert manufacturing.

Thus, disclosed embodiments include a method of deriving an anatomical prediction using a known morphological relationship and a programmed apparatus including a digital touch screen display and means for acquiring an image of a person on the digital touch screen display, the method comprising acquiring an image of a person on the digital touch screen display, digitizing points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks on the displayed image, determining linear anatomical dimensions of the person's body using the digitized points and a scale factor for the displayed image, and making an anatomical prediction using the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship. In one embodiment the anatomical prediction is a clothing measurement. In another embodiment the anatomical prediction is body composition. In a further embodiment the anatomical prediction includes at least one of circumference and volume of a body part. In a still further embodiment the anatomical prediction is a postural displacement or is used for fitting/manufacturing an orthotic or insert for the foot. To further exemplify the use of the 3D acquired images in orthotic manufacturing and clinical fitting, it is noted that in the past a practitioner such as a therapist or podiatrist typically must cast a patient's foot either weight bearing or non-weight bearing positions to have the ability to capture the exact dimensions and form of the foot for orthotic manufacturing. Now instead of using a pin-type mold system, foam based or plaster type fitting system, in accordance with the method and system of the invention a true 3D image can be acquired and a proper orthotic manufactured therefrom saving considerable time and money to the practitioner. Ultimately, the 3D data may also be used by a 3D type ‘printer’ and an orthotic literally ‘printed’ based on 3D data.

For postural analysis in accordance with the present invention, the 3D captured images have the advantage of traditional multi-camera systems but being much less expensive and mobile. Another advantage of 3D postural assessment in accordance with the invention is that the end user practitioner can pan-zoom in any rotational view of the posture and then click precise anatomical landmarks and planes which the system can compare to one another to generate axial rotation (which is not easily calculated from 2D photographs with a single camera).

For clothing fitting and body composition assessment, using a 3D image in accordance with the disclosed method, exact circumferential measurements can easily be derived with the 3D data from the Kinect or Structure type 3D camera/sensor. Clicking known locations permits one to generate measurements of body parts and/or regions for exact anthropometric data from which can be extrapolated exact clothing fitting or precise body part measurements usually tracked in health and fitness. For example, personal trainers measure arms, legs and body girth of torso to track weight loss and “inches lost”. Further, using exact circumferential data, a more precise method of anthropometric body composition analysis is possible using known methods pioneered by the U.S. Department of Defense as discussed hereinafter.

In the disclosed embodiments, the method further comprises acquiring at least two different views of the person as images on the digital touch screen display and/or a digital 3D image of the person, which can be rotated to provide each of said at least two different views, digitizing points on anatomical landmarks on each displayed image and determining linear anatomical dimensions of the person's body using the digitized points and a scale factor for each displayed image for making the anatomical prediction. In the disclosed embodiments the views acquired include at least a front view and a side view of the person and/or a digital three-dimensional image of the person which can be rotated to provide each of the front and side views.

An embodiment particularly relating to measuring dimensions for postural screening is disclosed but is understood as instructive with respect to the other embodiments disclosed herein taken with the additional disclosure relating to each of the other embodiments.

The improved postural screening method according to the example embodiments of the present invention comprises acquiring an image of a patient on a display screen having an array of pixels, determining a pixel to distance ratio for the displayed image, and calculating a postural displacement of the patient in the displayed image using the determined ratio. The standing framework of vertical backdrop and plumb line or overlaid grid-work of lines of the prior art are not necessary. According to the disclosed method, a known linear distance in the displayed image and the number of display screen pixels spanning the distance are used in determining pixel to distance ratio. The known linear distance in an example embodiment is the height of the patient. Alternately, or in addition as a secondary calibration, a marked distance can be provided in the acquired image of the patient, as by the use of a meter stick in the image or other markings of a known distance apart, to provide a known linear distance.

The postural screening method in example embodiments further includes scaling the size of the image relative to the display screen to normalize the known linear distance in the image to a display screen reference distance corresponding to a known number of pixels for determining the pixel to distance ratio. According to a disclosed method, at least one reference line is provided over the displayed image to demark the display screen reference distance.

The method as disclosed herein further includes displaying a reference line overlaid on the screen providing vertical, horizontal and center references, providing a corresponding reference line anchored to the displayed patient's image, and adjusting the image in the display so that the two reference lines are aligned before determining the pixel to distance ratio.

In disclosed embodiments, the method further includes displaying a reference line on the display screen over the acquired image, performing panning to center the image on the screen, and performing zooming to fit the image in the reference line before determining the pixel to distance ratio. Still further, the method comprises providing anatomical landmarks on the acquired image of the patient to facilitate calculating a postural displacement. The display screen is a touch screen for this purpose to identify coordinates for calculation of postural displacements by the programmed computer of the mobile, hand-held communication device. An advantage of the 3D acquired images in the method and system of the invention is that from these the operator can easily predict axial rotations of different body regions compared with 2D image acquisition which would typically require obtaining multiple photographs from every side as well as axial (above the head or below the feet) to generate information needed to assess three dimensional postural analysis.

A system for performing postural screening according to the disclosed embodiments may comprise means for acquiring an image of a patient on a display screen having an array of pixels, means for determining a pixel to distance ratio for the displayed image and means for calculating a postural displacement of the patient in the displayed image using the determined ratio. The means for acquiring an image of a patient according to an example embodiment includes an image capture device of the mobile, programmed, hand-held communication device, for capturing at least one of a 2D image or a 3D image of the person on the digital touch screen display. Preferably, the device includes at least one positional device selected from the group consisting of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a level which provides a reference for leveling the image capturing device. The system further includes means for panning a displayed image on the screen to center the image on the screen, and means for zooming to fit a displayed image in a reference line on the display screen. Means are provided for displaying at least one reference line over the displayed image to demark a display screen reference distance corresponding to a known number of pixels for determining the pixel to distance ratio. In the case of the use of a known 3D camera, the 3D system camera automatically calibrates using an infrared or other type sensor so additional calibration of the image as described herein with respect to a 2D camera image may be unnecessary.

The system of disclosed embodiments further includes means for displaying a reference line overlaid on the screen providing vertical, horizontal and center references, means for displaying a corresponding reference line anchored to the displayed patient's image, and means for aligning image and display screen reference lines before determining the pixel to distance ratio. The system further includes means for providing anatomical landmarks on the acquired image of the patient to facilitate calculating a postural displacement.

Disclosed embodiments further include a machine-readable medium containing at least one sequence of instructions that, when executed, causes a machine to: calculate at least one postural displacement of a patient from a displayed image of the patient on a display screen having an array of pixels, using a determined pixel to distance ratio for the displayed image.

Broadly, disclosed embodiments generally provide a method for determining an anatomical measurement of the human body such as measuring the dimensions of the human body comprising providing a digital anthropometer on a mobile device, and digitizing anatomical landmarks on a displayed image such as a photograph or digital three-dimensional image of the human body displayed on the device with established calibration methods for measuring dimensions of the human body. And broadly, the embodiments of the prevention provide a digital anthropometer device or system using digitization of anatomical landmarks on a displayed image such as a photograph or digital three-dimensional image with established calibration methods. The device/system is designed for measuring the dimensions of the human body and comprises a programmed device including a digital display, a touch screen in the example embodiments having an array of pixels and a camera for acquiring an image of a person on the digital touch screen display, and means for digitizing anatomical landmarks on an image of a person displayed on the touch screen display for measuring dimensions of the human body.

Another embodiment enables the ability to derive the anatomical measurement such as the linear measurement or an angular measurement from the anterior, posterior and lateral aspects or 3D view of a body part, and then calculate an estimate of circumference and volume of that body part using mathematical equations.

Disclosed embodiments also enable recording a linear distance and subsequent circumferential and volume calculations utilizing mathematical formulae which can also be tracked by software. The measurements can also be superimposed on the digital image of the person displayed on the device.

Another embodiment can produce reports for education on body posture, measurements for clothing, or for example body composition as explained and shown with reference to FIGS. 11-19 below. This could be used by fitness professionals, health care professionals, or clothing industry professionals or where an anatomical measurements need to be calculated by using prediction from digitizing anatomical points on/from a digital picture.

Once the images are obtained and digitized following protocols of the disclosed methods, digitization points on anatomical landmarks for purposes of posture, linear and circumferential anthropometric measurements can be performed. After these measurements are obtained, body ratios can be calculated to predict a person's body composition using well known anthropometric morphological relationships.

An exemplary embodiment may be utilized in health care, fitness or the clothing industry, to measure posture, to measure the foot for manufacturing orthotics and inserts, and to calculate body dimensions, shape, posture, and body composition based on anatomical ratio relationship, and to track progress of linear, angular and circumferential measurements. In other industries such as clothing, one can obtain images, and find measurements needed to for example fit a person for a suit or tuxedo instead of using manual tape measuring. The images used can be 2D or 3D images.

A first embodiment is a postural screening method comprising acquiring patient information, acquiring an image of a patient, displaying a reference line overlaid on the acquired image for scaling the acquired image, providing panning to center the acquired image, providing zooming to fit the image within the displayed reference lines, for normalizing the patient's height, determining a pixel to distance ratio using the acquired patient information and the normalized patient height, calculating postural displacements, and presenting a postural analysis. Aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide a postural screening method that may be implemented on a mobile, hand-held communication device that incorporates the device's gyroscope, accelerometer, and camera. The camera may be either a 2D camera or a 3D camera such as a Kinect by Microsoft, a Kinect type camera, a Structure Sensor by Occipital, or any similar technology.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of a mobile, hand-held communication device 12 is shown, which on one side has a screen 13 capable of displaying a frontal image 14 of a patient being viewed with a camera or image capture device on an opposite side. The device in the embodiment is an Apple iPhone 4 the computer of which is programmed in accordance with the invention as described hereinafter to perform the disclosed postural screening method. Other mobile, hand-held communication devices capable of running a program in accordance with the invention could also be used, such as iPhone®, iPod Touch®, iPad® and Android® devices including tablets and Windows® based tablets. FIGS. 2-8 show front perspective views of screen 13 showing steps of a posture screening method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference will be made to FIGS. 1-8 in the following description of the postural screening method.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a postural screening method 50 is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. Method 50 in the example embodiment includes a step 52 of acquiring patient information, which may include, for example, accessing a database or prompting a user to enter information. Acquired information in may include, for example, height, weight, sex and age of a patient.

Method 50 may include a process 54 of acquiring an image of the patient. Referring now to FIG. 10, a process flow diagram of process 54 of acquiring a frontal image 14 of the patient is shown. Process 54 as disclosed includes a step 72 of activating an image capture device, in this case the camera of the iPad 4. Process 54 in the embodiment includes a step 74 of activating a positional device, namely one or more of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a level in the device. The positional device(s) is used in accordance with the present invention to provide feedback to a user as to whether the image capture device is level.

Process 54 includes a step 76 of displaying a reference line overly 18 on screen 13. The reference line overlay 18 may aid a user in aligning the patient in the field of view of the image capture device by providing, for example, a vertical reference 18 a, a horizontal reference 18 b, and a center reference 18 c. Process 54 includes a step 78 if indicating a level patient. According to the embodiment of the present invention, in step 78 a visual indication including, for example, corresponding references 16 a, 16 b, and 16 c, are provided anchored to frontal image 14. An aligned frontal image 14 may have a reference line 20, which may have vertical, horizontal, and center reference lines 20 a, 20 b, and 20 c, which may, for example, change colors indicating alignment. Process 54 may also include a step 80 of capturing an image, for example, once alignment is achieved. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of images may be acquired including, for example, frontal image 14, lateral image 26, and a rear perspective image.

According to disclosed embodiments, process 54 may include accessing a data storage device. The data storage device may include, for example, a picture roll or album, which may contain a previously captured image of the patient. As another variation, the process 54 for acquiring an image of a patient may include capturing a three-dimensional image of the person by means of a 3D camera of the device 12 to display a digital three-dimensional image of the person on the digital touch screen. This would involve taking several different views of the person as by scanning, for example. The user can pan and zoom and rotate the three-dimensional displayed image to analyze the subject in any plane by means of computer input devices as discussed below.

Referring again to FIG. 9 method 50 may include a step 56 of displaying an upper reference line 24 a and a lower reference line 24 b over a display 22 of frontal image 14 and a lateral image 26 of the patient. The two spaced parallel lines are spaced apart a reference distance corresponding to a known number of pixels of screen 13. The displayed reference lines 24 a and 24 b may be used as a reference for aligning or normalizing the images 14 and 26, which may require positioning or scaling. Hence, method 50 may include a step 58 of providing panning capability of the acquired image to a user, and a step 60 of providing zoom capability of the acquired image to a user. The provided panning capability may allow a user to properly center or rotate images 14 and 26 to fit in reference lines 24 a and 24 b. The provided zoom capability may allow a user to properly size an acquired image to fit it within reference lines 24 a and 24 b for normalizing the height of the patient in the acquired image and establishing a pixel height of the patient. Method 50 may include a step 62 of determining a pixel-to-distance ratio, which may be a quotient calculated by dividing a pixel height of images 14 and 26 divided by a patient's height.

Method 50 may include a step 64 of providing for identification of the patient's anatomical landmarks, wherein a user may be prompted to identify locations of a plurality of anatomical landmarks on the acquired image of the patient by touching the touchscreen of the device to identify an anatomical landmark. The plurality of the landmarks may correspond, for example, to skeletal landmarks, bone markings, or joints. The identified plurality of landmarks may be used with the known pixel to distance ratio for the displayed image to calculate absolute distances and relative spatial positioning thereof, and may be used in an analysis of the patient's posture. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the selection of anatomical landmarks may be on a plurality of images 14 and 26. The images of FIGS. 12-14 depict the digitized anatomical landmarks placed on the image for the purpose of making linear measurements in the front and side views of the subject. Where a 3D image is displayed, the image could be rotated and pan and zoomed to provide the front and side views as well as ‘bird's eye’ of the subject as well as other views as desired as seen in FIGS. 20A-20D described above.

Method 50 in the embodiment includes a step 66 of calculating postural displacements using the determined pixel to distance ratio. The displacements may include, for example, linear displacements and angular displacements. Method 50 may include a step 68 of presenting a postural analysis 27. Postural analysis 27 may display, for example, the calculated linear or angular displacements 30, 34 and any deviation thereof from a normal or proper posture taking into account, for example, the patient's age, sex, height, and weight. The normal or proper posture itself can be displayed over the displayed patient's image to provide a visual comparison.

Specific elements of the disclosed systems and methods are described in further detail below with respect to the acquisition, digitization, calculation and anatomical prediction features and the application of machine learning algorithms to these processes.

Acquisition & Digitization

The programmed device in one embodiment is a mobile, hand-held communication device having at least one positional device selected from the group consisting of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a level to level the camera. With the device, the method for measuring includes activating the at least one positional device and using an output thereof for leveling the camera before capturing the image.

The display screen in the several embodiments is preferably a touch screen for the purpose to quickly identify coordinates of the selected anatomical landmarks of the body image displayed on the screen, e.g. to digitize the anatomical landmarks for calculation of linear distances by the programmed computer of the device. These features advantageously reduce the time for measuring the dimensions and the accuracy, without the need for external equipment or special facilities.

The patient's image can be acquired by accessing a database. Alternatively, the person performing the screening can operate an image capture device of a camera for acquiring the image of the patient. Either a 2D camera providing a 2D image or a 3D camera providing a 3D image can be used. The method preferably includes leveling the image capture device before capturing the image from which the pixel to distance ratio is to be determined for eliminating distortion. According to the example embodiments, the image capture device and display screen are part of a mobile, hand-held communication device having at least one positional device selected from the group consisting of a gyroscope, an accelerometer, and a level. The method includes activating the at least one positional device and using an output thereof to provide a reference for leveling the image capturing device. Using the 3D type cameras such as Kinect or Structure sensor by Occiptal, the 3D camera is tethered to the mobile device directly or via wireless transmission, and provides calibrated 3D images on all three axes from which anatomical dimensions and postural deviations can be derived.

Requirements of the mobile, hand-held communication device, the software, and the interaction therebetween, and specific operations or steps of the program for achieving the described functions of the method for an example embodiment are set forth below.

Leveling Orientation Tracking

Requires an environment that can provide real-time or near real-time horizontal and vertical orientation readings. These readings may be provided by an “accelerometer”.

-   -   1. Begin reading the orientation data from the accelerometer.     -   2. Track each reading in a historical array of readings; do not         discard old readings.     -   3. When more than one reading has been tracked, apply a low-pass         filter against the newest and the historical readings. This will         provide accelerometer readings that more accurately reflect the         constant effects of gravity and reduce the influence of sudden         motion to the accelerometer.

Head-Up Display (HUD) Overlay

Requires a camera and a display screen that renders the camera's current view. Requires an application programming interface that allows drawing and displaying images over the camera view on the display screen, partially obscuring portions of the camera view. Finally, requires a pre-drawn graphic image files. The graphic image file may be partially transparent with one or more simple horizontal and vertical lines drawn on the image. The image file may also be more complex with circles, swirls, targets, multiple horizontal and vertical lines, etc. The image file will be used twice: once as stationary reference, once as dynamically moving indicator. While only one image is required the visual design may be more appealing using two image files, one for each usage.

-   -   1. Initialize the camera and viewpoint through normal methods of         those devices.     -   2. Using the programming interface and apply the image to the         display screen.     -   3. Using the programming interface, adjust the image location so         the image is viewable on the display screen. The camera display         screen should render both the camera's current view and the         image file. This image application will not be modified further         and serves the purpose of a stationary reference.     -   4. Using the programming interface and apply the image to the         display screen, again.     -   5. Using the programming interface, adjust the image location in         the exact same manner as the stationary image.     -   6. Using the programming interface, instruct the display to draw         the second image over the first stationary image.     -   7. The camera display screen should render the camera's current         view with both the image files drawn over the camera view,         partially obstructing the camera view.     -   8. The second image's location will be modified later and serves         the purpose of a movement indicator.

User Feedback-Leveling the Camera

Requires both the Orientation Tracking and the HUD Overlay methods described above. Orientation readings may be assigned x, y, and z planes which are discussed here as “roll”, “pitch”, and “yaw”.

-   -   1. Using the “roll” reading from the accelerometer, apply a         rotation to the movement indicator image of the HUD. The         programming interface of the display screen overlay will dictate         the angle units (i.e. radians, degrees) required to rotate the         movement indicator image. Use common angle mathematics to         convert the reading to radians or degrees as required.     -   2. Use the programming interface to apply a standard mathematic         rotation matrix to the movement indicator image's coordinate         system.     -   3. The movement indicator image should render partially rotated         on the camera display screen.     -   4. Using the programming interface or the operating system         documentation, determine the screen coordinates for the camera         display (for example, the iPhone 4S device boasts 960×640 pixel         display, however the iOS operating system assigns the size of         320×460; interest here is in the operating system size of         320×460; the operating system will handle conversion between the         device display ‘space’ and the operating system ‘space’).     -   5. Using the programming interface or the accelerometer         documentation, determine the minimum and maximum values of the         accelerometer “pitch” readings (for example, the iOS operating         system provides “pitch” readings as fractional decimal in the         range of −1.00 through +1.00).     -   6. Using the programming interface, read the current location         coordinate of the center of the movement indicator image.     -   7. Add or subtract the pitch reading to the vertical location         coordinate, restricting the value to the maximum and minimum         boundaries of the screen coordinates.     -   8. Using the programming interface, apply the result of the         addition (subtraction) to the movement indicator image.     -   9. The movement indicator image should be rendered on the camera         display screen in a different location. The image's center point         should remain within the viewable area of the display screen.     -   10. The software should continuously monitor the readings of the         accelerometer. With each new reading, update the rotation and         location coordinates of the movement indicator image as shown         above.     -   11. With one image stationary and a complimentary image moving,         the user will be able to visually notice when the images         perfectly overlap one another in both location and rotation.         This registration is their feedback that the device is oriented         correctly.

Display and Physical Measurements Cropping

Requires a software environment that provides visual display elements (views) that can be nested inside of one another; allowing one element to surround or envelope another. For example, the iOS operating system provides the UIView element (including UIView derivatives). For real-time cropping, requires a display screen that renders the views and any changes to the views (including size, scale, rotation, color, brightness, etc.).

-   -   1. Create two views, nested inside one another.     -   2. Load an image into the software (from a camera, disk drive,         computer memory, etc)     -   3. Using the programming interface to assign the image to the         inner view.     -   4. Optionally, use the programming interface to scale the inner         view to be larger than the outer view.     -   5. Optionally, use the programming interface to adjust the         location of the views so the inner view's boundaries extend past         the outer view equally in all directions.     -   6. Regardless of completing step 4 and 5, allow the user to         manipulate the inner view's size, scale, and location while         keeping the outer view fixed in both size, scale, and location.         Manipulation may occur by tracking the user input through any         computer input device. For example, on the iOS operating system         manipulation could be tracked by custom touch-screen readings or         standard pinch-and-zoom features.     -   7. After user manipulation has completed (indicated by an         arbitrary user action or input; for example pressing a “Done”         button) use the programming interface to read the current size         and position of both the inner and outer views.     -   8. Use the programming interface to capture the portion of the         inner view image that is currently within the outer view's         boundaries. Any portion of the inner view that extends past the         outer view's boundaries will be cropped and discarded.     -   9. The programming interface may require the cropping boundary         to be pre-calculated. The cropping boundary is used by the         programming interface and applied to the original image to         produce a new image from a portion of the original. The cropping         boundary can be calculated with simple arithmetic:         -   calculate (or read from the programming interface) the final             offset distance between the inner view and outer view's             center points,         -   calculate (or read from the programming interface) the final             resizing scale applied to the inner view,         -   use the offset divided by the scale to determine the origin             of the cropping boundary,         -   use the fixed size of the outer view divided by the scale to             determine the dimensions of the cropping boundary,         -   for example, the X coordinate of a cropping boundary             calculated in the iOS operating system would be:             x=outerview.contentOffset.x/outerview.zoomScale; and the             width of the cropping boundary would be:             width=outerview.frame.width/outerview.zoomScale.

As an example of calculating the cropping boundary, assume the following:

-   -   An image of size 460×460     -   An outer view of size 300×400     -   The user has manipulated the inner image view to move it an         arbitrary direction and scaled to be twice as large. The result         of the manipulation is an image with effective size of 920×920         (×2 scale) with an offset of 195 in the X coordinate direction         and 289 in the Y coordinate.     -   The X coordinate of the cropping box would be 195/2=97.5 and the         width of the cropping box would be 300/2=150.     -   For reference, the Y coordinate in this example would be 144.5         and the height 200.     -   The programming interface should produce a new image from the         region of the original image with top left corner at 97.5,         144.5, width of 150 and height of 200.

Pixel Distance

Requires an image of an object cropped in a manner that the top and bottom of the object are at the edges of the top and bottom of the image, and the physical height of the object must be known. Requires a software environment that can interpret image data and provide pixel dimensions of the image.

-   -   1. Load the image into the software (from a camera, disk drive,         computer memory, etc.)     -   2. Use the programming interface to read the pixel height of the         image     -   3. Divide the known height of the object by the pixel height         reading to determine the ratio of pixels to physical distance     -   4. The ratio can be used to calculate and convert any distance         of pixels to physical distances by multiplying the ratio and the         pixel distance

For example, given an image that is 1000 pixels in height and an object that is known to be 60 inches in height we can calculate:

-   -   Each pixel represents 0.06 physical inches: 60/1000=0.06     -   A distance of 250 pixels represents 15 physical inches:         0.06×250=15

Referring to FIG. 11, a subject 111 is illustrated whose measurements may be taken by an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 an exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated where the subject of FIG. 11 is displayed on the display screen 13 of a mobile digital device 12. Anatomical landmarks 116 digitized by the user's touching the screen at the anatomical landmarks thereon are highlighted on the side view of the subject in FIG. 13. As it pertains to FIG. 12, the anatomical landmarks 116 are illustrated on a front view of the subject.

Referring to FIG. 14, anatomical landmarks 116 are illustrated on the subject in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 also illustrates the measured distance from shoulder to elbow 118; the measured distance from elbow to hand 200; the measured distance from front to back of chest 220 and the measured distance from front to back of waist 240. The flow charts of the steps for the methods are shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 18. Images with digitized anatomical landmarks used in the methods are shown on the displayed images in FIGS. 17 and 19.

Calculation & Anatomical Prediction

In the clothing measurement of FIGS. 16 and 17, the embodiment is a clothing fitting. In this case, the measurements are those needed for a suit or tuxedo. The measurements shown in the drawings are made or calculated from linear measurements as shown. The circumferential calculations for neck, waist, hip and chest are made as described below for circumferential calculations from linear measurements. Additionally, the shirt sleeve length and outseam measurements are made as shown in FIG. 17.

In the body composition example of FIGS. 18 and 19, the application embodiment can be applied to measurements needed for body composition analysis which includes circumferential measurements (traditionally performed with a tape measure) for assessment of percentage body fat. Additionally one can calculate waist to hip ratio which is also a circumferential measurement. These are important health related diagnostic assessments with regards to body morphology and type.

Examples of known mathematical formulae useful in the several embodiments include a body circumference formula employed in the example embodiments which utilizes measured body width (measured distance from left to right edges of body) and measured body depth (distance from back to front edges of body) made in front view and side view images of the body, respectively.

The circumferential estimation is taken as the average of the results of both the equations (1) and (2) below. These are known formulas by a mathematician and his formulae, referred to as the “Ramanujan's formula”. The circumference of the ellipse with half axes a and b half of the distance from each of the body width and body depth measurements is given below where the approximation is from Ramanujan's formula:

$\begin{matrix} {{C \approx {\pi \left\lbrack {{3\left( {a + b} \right)} - \sqrt{\left( {{3a} + b} \right)\left( {a + {3b}} \right)}} \right\rbrack}} = {\pi \left\lbrack {{3\left( {a + b} \right)} - \sqrt{{10{ab}} + {3\left( {a^{2} + b^{2}} \right)}}} \right\rbrack}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (1)} \\ {and} & \; \\ {C \approx {{\pi \left( {a + b} \right)}{\left( {1 + \frac{3\left( \frac{a - b}{a + b} \right)^{2}}{10 + \sqrt{4 - {3\left( \frac{a - b}{a + b} \right)^{2}}}}} \right).}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} (2)} \end{matrix}$

If a=b then the ellipse is a circle with radius r=a=b and these formulas give you C=2*pi*r.

Body composition in terms of body fat is calculated using the steps and measurements identified in FIGS. 17-19 then calculating circumference for neck, waist, abdomen and hip and obtaining the height and then through data entry in one of the known formulae as set forth below where all circumference and height measurements are in inches.

% body fat=86.010×log 10(abdomen−neck)−70.041×log 10(height)+36.76  Males.

% body fat=163.205×log 10(waist+hip−neck)−97.684×log 10(height)−78.387  Females.

Other known formulae describing known morphological relationships for body fat could be employed as will be understood by the skilled artisan. For example, the results from several known formulae could be averaged.

Examples of known formulae are presented in the publications listed below, which are incorporated herein by reference:

-   Hodgdon, J. A. and M. B. Beckett (1984) Prediction of percent body     fat for U.S. Navy men from body circumferences and height. Report     no. 84-11, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, Calif.; -   Hodgdon, J. A. Body (1990) Composition in the Military Services:     Standards & Methods. Report No. 90-21 Naval Health Research Center,     San Diego, Calif.

Application of Machine Learning Algorithms

Disclosed embodiments may further include machine learning algorithms implemented on specialized computers or computer systems for executing the acquisition, digitization, calculation and anatomical prediction functions. In this regard, the algorithms may be used for automatically placing points for postural analysis using commercial or open source tools; for example, face detection to determine the points for the eyes, or joint detection for measurement of limbs. Machine learning algorithms may be used for determining the outer boundaries of a body part in an image, assisting with the circumferential measuring of specific body areas (i.e., waist, neck, etc.), and mathematically processing a large dataset of known measurements, in order to create a regression formula that will augment known measurement formulas or those disclosed herein. Machine learning algorithms may also be used in optimizing calculations and increasing the precision and accuracy of predictive measurement algorithms.

How effectively a machine learning algorithm can be trained may be related to how well the data is classified or labeled before it is used in a training procedure. Classifiers play an important role in the analysis of 2D and 3D images and video of the human body. In embodiments, classifiers are used to classify the body dimensions such as, for example, body features, lengths, widths, etc., based on the relevant extracted body portions from the images. To develop a procedure for identifying images or videos as belonging to particular classes or categories (or for any classification or pattern recognition task), supervised learning technology may be based on decision trees, on logical rules, or on other mathematical techniques such as linear discriminant methods (including perceptrons, support vector machines, and related variants), nearest neighbor methods, Bayesian inference, neural networks, etc.

Generally, classifiers require a training set consisting of labeled data, i.e., representations of previously categorized media items (e.g., body dimensions), to enable a computer to induce patterns that allow it to categorize hidden media items. Generally, there is also a test set, also consisting of labeled data that is used to evaluate whatever specific categorization procedure is developed. In many cases, the test set is disjoint from the training set to compensate for the phenomenon of overfitting. In practice, it may be difficult to get large amounts of labeled data of high quality. If the labeled data set is small, the only way to get any useful results at all may be to use all the available data in both the training set and the test set.

To apply standard approaches to supervised learning, the media segments (body dimensions) in both the training set and the test set must be represented in terms of numbers derived from the images, i.e., features. The relationship between features extracted for the purposes of supervised learning and the content of an image or video has an important impact on the success of the approach.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flowchart representation of a process of generating a set of image-based training data and using that training data to develop classifiers in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in the FIG. 21, the process begins with generation of clusters from an image's pixel data. Then, subsets of the original data set are created containing only areas of interest. Finally, training and validation data sets are created, and the classifiers are trained and validated.

The programmatic tools used in developing the disclosed machine learning algorithms are not particularly limited and may include, but are not limited to, open source tools, rule engines such as Hadoop®, programming languages including SAS®, SQL, R and Python and various relational database architectures.

FIG. 22 illustrates a schematic of an example specialized computer or processing system that may implement machine learning algorithms according to disclosed embodiments. The computer system is only one example of a suitable processing system and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the methodology described herein. The processing system shown may be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the processing system shown in FIG. 22 may include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

The computer system may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The computer system may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices.

The components of computer system may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units, a system memory, and a bus that couples various system components including system memory to processor. The processor may include a module that performs the methods described herein. The module may be programmed into the integrated circuits of the processor, or loaded from memory, storage device, or network or combinations thereof.

The computer system communicates with external devices such as a 2D or 3D camera and may also communicate with one or more external devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display, and the like, one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system, and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces. The computer system can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter.

The above-described machine learning techniques are further described in the following non-limiting example. By way of example, images from multiple subjects may be stored in a database along with a multitude of image-related data including all relevant measurements, digitized points, calculated parameters and predicted parameters. These data sets may then be used to create training data sets that are tested and validated. Subsequent images processed may then be analyzed according to the algorithms developed (i.e., the rules) and the digitized points may be set according to the rules. The relevant calculations and predictions may then be based upon these digitized points and other hierarchal rules known to be particularly relevant to characteristic classifications of the image (e.g., weight, age, gender, body type, etc.). In turn, each subsequent image further trains the machine learning algorithms by validating, i.e., weighting, scoring, updating, etc. The result is a machine learning paradigm that automates and optimizes the anatomical prediction process disclosed herein in ways not conventionally known.

In embodiments, anatomical landmark points may be automatically extracted using computer algorithms trained using supervised machine learning techniques. Examples of common machine learning methods for anatomical landmark point detection include, but are not limited to, Active Shape Model (ASM), Active Appearance Model (AAM), Deformable Part Models and Artificial Neural Networks. In some embodiments, open source algorithms such as OpenPose may be used for anatomical landmark points detection. In all of these methods, a set of training images with annotated landmark points are used to build models. Once a model is trained and validated on a dataset, it is applied to detect landmark points on novel images. In some practice, the training, validation, and test image datasets are separated. Separate models may be trained and used to detect and extract anatomical landmark points in frontal, side, and other views. Some models may accommodate variations in camera view angles.

The neural network may be a deep convolutional neural network. The neural network may be a deep neural network that comprises an output layer and one or more hidden layers. In embodiments, training the neural network may include: training the output layer by minimizing a loss function given the optimal set of assignments, and training the hidden layers through a backpropagation algorithm. The deep neural network may be a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN).

In a CNN-based model, a set of filters are used to extract features from images using convolution operation. Training of the CNN is done using a training dataset containing images and landmark points, which determines the trained values of the parameters/weights of the neural network. FIG. 23 depicts a CNN architecture for learning landmark points. As seen in FIG. 23, the CNN includes multiple layers. A convolutional layer may include 8 128×128 kernels feeding into 2×2 pooling-layer. The pooling layer then feeds into another convolutional layer including 24, 48×48 kernels feeding into 2×2 pooling-layer. Further layers include fully-connected layers 1×256.

In some CNN models, the numbers of the CNN layers and fully connected layers may vary. In some network architectures, residual pass or feedbacks may be used to avoid a conventional problem of gradient vanishing in training the network weights. The network may be built using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Python or C++. Deep learning toolboxes such as TensorFlow, Caffe, Keras, Torch, Theano, CoreML, and the like, may be used in implementing the network. These toolboxes are used for training the weights and parameters of the network. In some embodiments, custom-made implementation of CNN and deep learning algorithms on special computers with Graphical Processing Units (GPUs) are used for training, inference, or both. The inference is referred to as the stage in which a trained model is used to infer/predict the testing samples. The weights of a trained model are stored in a computer disk and then used for inference. Different optimizers such as the Adam optimization algorithm, and gradient descent may be used for training the weights and parameters of the networks. In training the networks, hyperparameters may be tuned to achieve higher recognition and detection accuracies. In the training phase, the network may be exposed to the training data through several epochs. An epoch is defined as an entire dataset being passed only once both forward and backward through the neural network.

An example application of the CNN model according to embodiments is illustrated in FIG. 24. As seen in FIG. 24, training images are marked with annotated points of measurement.

The CNN model is trained based on the annotated points and weighting factors, as described herein. Evaluation of the model using a validation set is conducted to validate the trained model. At this stage, hyperparameters may be tuned and the model retrained based on the tuned parameters. In any event, the best performing trained model is identified and stored along with the relevant weighting factors. Once the training phase is complete, the process proceeds to the inference phase where the trained and validated model is applied to a captured image of a body of a person and the resulting anatomical landmark points are plotted on the image.

FIGS. 25A-28B illustrate several images representative of this process. For example, FIGS. 25A, 26A, 27A and 28A illustrate images of a person in the frontal, right-side, posterior and left-side views, respectively. FIGS. 25B and 26B illustrate annotated training images of the frontal and right-side views, respectively. FIGS. 25C, 26C, 27B and 28B illustrate images of a person in the frontal, right-side, posterior and left-side views, respectively, with the machine learned digitized points plotted on the respective images.

In some embodiments, a CNN-based network may be used for detection of the body silhouette. The detected body in original images is then used in training or testing the network responsible for anatomical landmark points' detection. In some networks, CNN-based methods such as You Only Look Once (YOLO) or DarkNet may be used for detection of the body silhouette. A bounding box may be used to show the position of a detected body in images. These two networks (body detection and anatomical landmark point detection) may be merged together. In this case, instead of training two separate but cascaded networks (a network responsible for human body detection in images and a network responsible for landmark point detection), one combined network is trained and utilized for both body detection and landmark extraction.

The network can be trained using a transfer learning mechanism. In transfer learning, the network's weights are initially trained using a different image database than the posture image database to learn the digitized points. Then, this pre-trained network is retrained further using the images in posture database. The CNN architecture can be 3-dimensional to handle 3D image data.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. For example, clothing measurements are not limited to tuxedo or suit measurements but could be made for other clothing items, e.g. dresses, shirts, blouses, etc. Body composition is also not limited to body fat but can include other estimations such as for body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, lean body mass, etc., using known morphological relationships. A three-dimensional image of the patient's foot can also be used according to the disclosed method for making measurements for making custom fit orthotics and inserts as will be readily understood by the skilled artisan. Likewise, the anatomical predictions can include other predictions than those in the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the appended claims. Likewise, the digital display screen need not be a touch screen display as in the example embodiments but otherwise allowing, as by clicking a mouse, for example, to demark various anatomical landmarks thereon in accordance with the invention, as will be readily understood by the person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for use of machine learning in computer-assisted anatomical prediction, the method comprising: identifying with a processor parameters in a plurality of training images to generate a training dataset, the training dataset having data linking the parameters to respective training images; training at least one machine learning algorithm based on the parameters in the training dataset and validating the trained machine learning algorithm; identifying with the processor digitized points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks in an image of a person displayed on a digital touch screen by determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of the person in the displayed image using the validated machine learning algorithm and a scale factor for the displayed image; and making an anatomical circumferential prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein training the machine learning algorithm includes weighting the parameters in the training dataset and validating the machine learning algorithm includes storing a best version of the machine learning algorithm and the corresponding weighted parameters.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein using the machine learning algorithm comprises: generating clusters from pixel data in the displayed image; creating subsets of the pixel data containing only areas of interest; identifying at least one classifier in the subsets of the pixel data; generating a training dataset based on the at least one classifier identified in the subsets of the pixel data; and validating the at least one classifier in the training dataset.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein parameters in the image of the person displayed on the digital touch screen are used to further train and validate the machine learning algorithm by updating corresponding parameters in the training dataset.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameters are at least one selected from the group consisting of weight, age, gender, body type, body silhouette, and body measurement.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the body measurement is a measurement selected from the group consisting of neck, overarm, chest, waist, hips, sleeve, and outseem.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine learning algorithm is at least one selected from the group consisting of an active shape model, an active appearance model, a deformable part model, and a neural network.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine learning algorithm is a deep convolutional neural network.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein training the deep convolutional neural network includes training an output layer by minimizing a loss function given an optimal set of assignments, and training hidden layers through a backpropagation algorithm.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the training step includes using a trained model to infer testing samples by weighting the plurality of training images relative to the parameters in the source dataset.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the weighting includes optimizing using the plurality of training images relative to the parameters using an Adam optimization algorithm or a gradient descent algorithm.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one machine learning algorithm includes a machine learning algorithm for identifying with the processor a body silhouette in the image of the person displayed on the digital touch screen.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine learning algorithm is trained using a transfer learning process comprising using weights from corresponding parameters trained using a separate image dataset to learn the digitized points.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the image of the person displayed on the digital touch screen is a 3D image.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the anatomical circumferential prediction is a clothing measurement, a body measurement, or a postural measurement.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the scale factor is a ratio of pixel to distance.
 17. The method of claim 1, further comprising plotting the plurality of anatomical landmarks on the image of the person displayed on the digital touch screen.
 18. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the anatomical circumferential prediction on the image of the person displayed on the digital touch screen.
 19. A system for use of machine learning in computer-assisted anatomical prediction, the system comprising: a memory configured to store at least one machine learning algorithm and datasets; a processor programmed to: (i) identify parameters in a plurality of training images to generate a training dataset, the training dataset having data linking the parameters to respective training images; (ii) train the machine learning algorithm based on the parameters in the training dataset and validate the trained machine learning algorithm; (iii) identify digitized points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks in an image of a person displayed on a digital touch screen by determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of the person in the displayed image using the validated machine learning algorithm and a scale factor for the displayed image; and (iv) make an anatomical circumferential prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein a program to be executable by a processor for use of machine learning in computer-assisted anatomical prediction, the program causing the processor to execute: identifying with a processor parameters in a plurality of training images to generate a training dataset, the training dataset having data linking the parameters to respective training images; training at least one machine learning algorithm based on the parameters in the training dataset and validating the trained machine learning algorithm; identifying with the processor digitized points on a plurality of anatomical landmarks in an image of a person displayed on a digital touch screen by determining linear anatomical dimensions of at least a portion of a body of the person in the displayed image using the validated machine learning algorithm and a scale factor for the displayed image; and making an anatomical circumferential prediction of the person based on the determined linear anatomical dimensions and a known morphological relationship. 